Lalique owner buys Lafaurie-Peyraguey

The Swiss millionaire owner of crystal company Lalique has bought Sauternes estate Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, taking his Bordeaux property tally up to six.

With the acquisition of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey in Sauternes, Silvio Denz now owns six Bordeaux estates

Silvio Denz snapped up the 36-hectare property from energy company GDF Suez, which has owned it since 1984, for an undisclosed sum.

Denz already owns Château Péby Faugères and Château Faugères in Saint-Emilion, Château de Chambrun in Lalande de Pomerol and Château Cap-de-Faugères in Côtes de Castillon.

He also co-owns Château Rocheyron in St. Emilion with Peter Sisseck of Dominio de Pingus in Ribera del Duero, who oversees Denz’ Spanish estate Clos d’Agon on the Costa Brava.

Photo courtesy of Millesima

The sale marks Denz’ foray into Sauternes. Describing Sauternes as “underrated” and “overlooked”, Denz plans to produce a dry white at the estate in addition to the appellation’s signature sweet wines.

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is currently planted with Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle with an average vine age of 40 years.

Technical director Eric Larramona will be kept in place at the estate, where Denz plans to open up the 13-bedroom château to guests.

Beginning his career in perfume, after setting up Switzerland’s largest perfumery chain, Denz branched out into wine.

The 57-year-old bought French crystal manufacturer Lalique in 2008 and is the owner of the word’s larges private collection of René Lalique-designed perfume bottles.

His private wine collection reportedly extends to over 35,000 bottles.